AU REVOIR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 198, 12 August 1940, Page 5

AU REVOIR

THIRD ECHELON * MEN

PARADE THROUGH TOWN

OFFICIAL, DISTRICT FAREWELL

Broken showery weather fail--ed to deter a large crowd from ( coming to town last Saturday to witness the official farewell j to the men from town and district who are leaving witfv the Third Echelon. The usual pro- • cedure observed in the past was adhered to and the parade of j Returned Soldiers from the lock escorted the smartly uni"formed detachment of sixty -young volunteers down the Strand to the Winter Show Hall •rat noon. The Whakatane Caledonian Society's Pipe Band was - once again to the fore and head- s • ed the parade to the brisk mea--sures of tlie March 'John Bain McKenzie.' All the'men were ad 1 - f dressed by His Worship the May- j or, Mr- B. S. Barry, the County r "■Chairman, Mr J. L. Burnett; £ Messrs Keepa Tawhio and J. • Hawaiki (for the Maori Com- ( inunity), and Mr Raymond, Pre- t sident of the local branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association. Each man was presented with - an Eversharp pencil by the Mayoress, Mrs Barry, after which Thomas responded on behalf of the men. The Mayor's Address "This is not a Borough farewell," -said Mi B. S. Barry, in his opening | remarks. "It is a district gesture pro | moted by a committee representing \ the entire district. That is why we ( • desire any persons or organisations j to take advantage of the gathering , to make their own presentations to , individual residents who may be go- ( Zing away. s It was impossible to forecast where the Third Echelon would be :going, but it could be safely said that they would have good times •and bad times, and that they could ; be depended on to worthily uphold the traditions of the First New Zea- , land Expeditionary Force. The. comradeship born of Army life would , be a thing which they would learn , to value as they experienced danger : and trial. It was the feeling that one could always count on a good ' comrade in a tight corner which made for that wonderful bond of fellowship which was absent from •civilian life. When they returned, they would also become members •of what he regarded as the greatest fellowship on earth —the Returned Soldiers' Association. After -twentyfive years this organisation held firmly together. There were no back -door entries. The acid test of membership was service for King and •Country. It was to men that the ycung soldiers of to-day could "look for moral support in every problem which them. *It a was their desire to help all they < could. On behalf of the citizens of Whakatane he wished each and every man the best of luck and a safe return home. Tribute from County Mr J. L. Burnett, for the County residents, said that there had been * many changes in the international situation since he had addressed a similar gathering. Great Britain lAd lost a valued ally, and 'iioav stood alone challenging the world aggressor. To him this was nothing less than an honour and a privilege, and though there were hard knocks .ahead, the ultimate issue was never ;in doubt. How much more would ibe the achievement when the Em- ] pire had defeated the enemy singleiianded. Speaking of the steps taken recently for the protection of New Zealand,, Mr Burnett said that these plans were advanced more than most people supposed. Posts would be created for everyone. "Cast your . eyes to the left over those campaigners," he said. "They might not look too fit but believe me they're tough. They will form a nucleus for the forces of Home defence and no matter what sacrifices they were called upon to make they would rgive a good account of themselves." ite was sure that the men going away would prove themselves worthy sons of Ne>v Zealand and he wished them safe voyage overseas ;and a happy return home.

From the Maori People Mr Keepa' Tawhio for the local Maoris expressed his great pleasure at the privilege afforded him foi saying a few words. With Rev. W. Rangi acting as interpreter, lie urg eel the Maori members present to light strongly for King and Country, keeping ever before them the cause of Christianity. In' wishing them r Godspeed he asked them not to forget their people at home but to 1 light side by side with the Pakehas who to-day with them were one * people. * Mr Hawaiki (Chairman of the . District Maori Council) said thai , the Maori troops- would be once 1 again crossing the ocean which had . been crossed by their ancestors. They were in God's hands and while. , away would be remembered by all f the churches throughout the coun- A try. R.S.A. Assurance f ' 1 Mr Raymond in a happy speech said it was good to reflect that all ( the men present were volunuteers, j who had come forward of their own free will long before there was a hint of conscription. The returned . men were proud of them and a little envious as well. It appeared that it was necessary to send more troops overseas to settle an argument, they thought they had settled. He advised them all to see all they could while abroad, by making the best ( of their leave and their experiences. "And don't forget the girls yon leave behind you," said Mr Raymond. "You will meet all sorts but remember the NewZealand girls can't be -beaten." New Zealanders had been thrilled by the exploits of the Achilles, and the daring of their own airmen in the R-A.F.; wait until the land for-: ces get there. There would be some 1 thing doing then too. He was just : waiting to see how thoste Italians were going to get on when they met : the colonials. He wished the men good hunting and called for three cheers from the ex-diggers present. Appreciation Captain Thomas speaking for the men on parade, said lie was sure they would long remember the occasion. He had been present at all three send-offs and could speak with authority. To the returned men he could give the assurance that they need never be afraid that the First Expeditionary Force would be le~ down. It was very re-assuring to those of their numbers who had wives and sweethearts to leave behind, to learn that vigorous steps were being taken to establish a strong home defence. They felt safe in leaving them in the hands of the old diggers who were willing to get back into harness again, It was a very gratifying thought, and he thanked one and all for their good wishes.